They discussed deep into the night, and decided overnight to go organic. He said that although the topic was not on the agenda, it really bothered him that they were using toxic pesticides and herbicides on their crops. legend (second hand for me) has it that during one of the frequent Kibbutz meetings before the Kibbutz was organic, one of the members stood up. So in addition to growing organic produce, the village is virtually self sufficient – eliminating the need for polluting transportation to bring food to the residents.ġ. Neot Semadar has approximately 400 dunams of farm land and they grow a wide range of things such as olives, almonds, grapes, nectarines, wheat, guavas, pomegranates, mangos, and avocados. The 200 people living there are friends, children, youth, and visitors from both Israel and overseas who are looking for a fresh perspective.Īmong the efforts that the residents of the village make to create a more harmonious relationship with the earth is the organic farming conducted around the village. The village, which was founded by a group of close friends in 1989, is really a community of people trying to understand their relationships with each other as people and their relationships with the earth. There just aren’t any of the modern distractions that many of us know and love, like movies, frozen yogurt stands, etc.īut the approximately 200 people living at the Neot Semadar village in the southern part of the Negev desert can – and do – live without those distractions in an environment that is completely harmonious with its surroundings. If can also donate here, to help keep the Kibbutz running.If you choose to live in the heart of the Negev desert – or any desert for that matter – chances are, you’re pretty in touch with nature. They also have a learning centre, where people can learn about organic farming and produce, ecological building in the desert, recycling of wastewater and brackish water, renewable energy, and specialist handcrafts. Neot Semadar is ready to receive volunteers, that can signup here. The small goods can be bought in their very nice gift shop, together with some nice scarfs and hand-made bracelets. In their Art Center, they show how they build all sort of goods together, from small pieces to big tables. It’s the most southern-based winery in the world (their grapes are all planted and harvested in the region). The Kibbutz has its own winery, with very tasty wine. They farm only organic goods, have a passion for desert architecture, water recycling, and more.
But, if they need money to buy clothes, they can ask and the Kibbutz will provide for them.
All the work is volunteer: since there is no money, people don’t get paid. All the work goes to the Kibbutz’s account, which is currently paying all the debts they made since they opened – nowadays the Kibbutz is making profit enough to sustain itself healthy.Įverybody works in all different areas, from dawn to sunset. The volunteers come from all over the world to find a fresh and independent perspective on life. Nowadays, more than 90 adults live in the Kibbutz, with 70 children of all ages and about 50 volunteers.
It’s residents explore what means to live together as co-learners, observing each other in everyday activities and relationships. It was established in 1989 by a group of friends with a common interest: they wanter to create a learning community with one focus: cooperation and creativity in life. Kibbutz Neot Semadar is located in the Southern Negev Desert, in Israel.